Sikh Festivals (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Note

What are the origins of Vaisakhi?

• Vaisakhi is the Sikh harvest festival and is usually celebrated on the 13th or 14th of April

  • It shows gratitude and thanks for the harvest of food and crops that year

  • It also involves prayers for future crops

• Vaisakhi became significant following the actions of Guru Gobind Singh and the formation of the Khalsa in 1699

  • Guru Gobind Singh called Sikhs to Anandpur Sahib on Vaisakhi day

  • He tested their faith by asking for volunteers willing to sacrifice their lives

  • He initiated the first five Sikhs (the Panj Piare, which translates to “Beloved Five”) into the Khalsa, a community of committed, baptised Sikhs

  • He also introduced:

    • The 5 Ks (Kesh, Kara, Kanga, Kachera, Kirpan)

    • The names Singh (for men) and Kaur (for women)

  • From that day, Sikhs became a distinct community

• During Vaisakhi, many Sikhs remember solemn occasions from the past when Sikhs were persecuted

How is Vaisakhi celebrated?

• The celebrations at Vaisakhi include processions and services held in the gurdwara

• Also at this time, committees for the gurdwara are elected and the Nishan Sahib is taken down and replaced with a new flag, which is donated by the sangat

  • The flagpole is taken down and washed in milk and yoghurt and then water to symbolise cleanliness and purity

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Nishan Sahib

• In India, as well as including prayers for crops, Vaisakhi is celebrated through:

  • Large fairs

  • Sporting competitions

  • Bhangra dancing and folk music

• During Vaisakhi, some Sikhs travel to Anandpur, where Guru Gobind Singh formed the Khalsa

  • They may also travel to the Harmander Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar to celebrate

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Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib), Amritsar, India  Bernard Gagnon CC by-sa 1.0

Why is Vaisakhi significant within Sikhism?

• There are many reasons why Vaisakhi is an important celebration for Sikhs

  • It commemorates the birth of the Khalsa, which marks a turning point in Sikh identity

  • It is a time to celebrate the values of the Khalsa, including honesty, equality, service and bravery

    • At this time, Sikhs reflect on whether they are living according to Guru Gobind Singh’s ideals

  • It is an opportunity to strengthen the Sikh community (sangat)

    • Gurdwaras hold special services, processions (Nagar Kirtans) and Akhand Path readings

    • It is a time for collective worship, celebration and sewa (service)

  • It is also a time to celebrate unity and equality, which are very important within Sikhism

    • The Panj Piare came from different castes and backgrounds

    • Vaisakhi reminds Sikhs of equality and shared identity

What are the origins of Divali?

• Divali is a festival that is celebrated throughout India by both Hindus and Sikhs

  • It is a festival of lights and symbolises good overcoming evil

  • For Sikhs, it is also a celebration of freedom 

  • It is usually celebrated in October or November, and it lasts five days

• The origins of Divali in Sikhism began with the release of Guru Hargobind Ji in 1619

  • Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, was unjustly imprisoned by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir

  • When the Emperor agreed to release him, Guru Hargobind refused to leave without the 52 innocent Hindu princes who were also imprisoned

  • The Emperor agreed, saying those who could hold onto the Guru’s cloak could go

  • Guru Hargobind had a special cloak made with 52 tassels, allowing all of them to be freed

  • Guru Hargobind returned to Amritsar on Divali night, and the Golden Temple was lit up with lamps in celebration

  • This became known as “Bandi Chhor Divas” or the “Day of Liberation”

How is Divali celebrated?

• Divali is celebrated in several ways:

  • The Akand Path is held

  • Street processions are organised

  • Firework displays

  • Homes are spring-cleaned and decorated with lamps

  • New clothes are worn

  • As well as these ways, in India, Divali is celebrated through:

    • Lighting bonfires in towns and villages

    • Decoration of the Golden Temple and the surrounding buildings with thousands of lights

    • Pilgrimage of many Sikhs to the Golden Temple to join the celebrations

Why is Divali significant within Sikhism?

• Divali is important for Sikhs for several reasons, because it:

  • Allows Sikhs to remember the bravery of Guru Hargobind, who was imprisoned with 52 Hindu princes for political reasons

  • Remembers the martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh, who was the granthi at the Harmander Sahib (Golden Temple) who transcribed the final version of the Guru Granth Sahib

  • Celebrates how Sikh leaders have supported freedom and equality

  • Helps Sikhs to remember the oneness of humanity and the importance of fair treatment for all people

  • Celebrates light over darkness and the victory of good over evil

  • Is an opportunity for Sikhs to celebrate in gurdwaras, which they decorate with lights, and where they hold prayers (kirtan) and serve langar

What are Gurpurbs?

• Gurpurbs are festivals that celebrate the lives of the Gurus

  • The word Gurpurb means “Guru’s celebration”

  • Gurpurbs may mark a Guru’s birthday, the date they became a Guru (in the case of the Guru Granth Sahib) or their date of death

  • These events help Sikhs remember, honour and reflect on the teachings and sacrifices of the Gurus

• The tradition of Gurpurbs began with the early Sikh community, especially during and after the lives of the Ten Gurus

The most important Gurpurbs

• The birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, is usually celebrated in October or November

  • This was one of the earliest Gurpurbs to be celebrated by the Sikh community

  • It originated shortly after Guru Nanak’s death in 1539, when his followers began holding remembrance gatherings

• Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday celebrates the tenth Guru, who founded the Khalsa in 1699

  • During this Gurpurb, Sikhs reflect on his courage, leadership, and defence of justice and equality

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Guru Gobind Singh CC by-sa 1.0

• Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom commemorates the fifth Guru, who was martyred in 1606 for refusing to give up his faith

  • This is a powerful reminder of the struggles Sikhs have faced for religious freedom

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Guru Arjan Dev CC by-sa 1.0

• Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom remembers the ninth Guru, executed in 1675 for protecting religious freedom (particularly for Hindus)

  • He is honoured for his self-sacrifice and defence of human rights

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Guru Tegh Bahadur CC by-sa 1.0

How are the Gurpurbs celebrated?

• The Gurpurbs are celebrated by reading the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, continuously from beginning to end

  • This is done by a team of Sikh men and women, each reading for two to three hours over 48 hours

  • It begins two days before, and ends early on the morning of, the Gurpurb

    • This reading is called an Akhand Path

Nagar Kirtan

• On the day of the Gurpurb, or not long after, there may be a street procession known as a Nagar Kirtan

• This is led by five people representing the original Panj Piare, who form an escort for the Guru Granth Sahib

  • The holy book is carried in honour on a decorated vehicle, followed by singers, musicians and even teams of people demonstrating the martial art of swordsmanship

Celebrations in gurdwaras

• Gurdwaras are decorated with flowers, flags and lights

  • Sikhs gather to sing, pray and eat together

• On the morning of the anniversary, celebrations begin early, at around 4.00 or 5.00 am, with hymns (kirtan) sung from the Guru Granth Sahib, poems recited in praise of the Gurus, and lectures delivered on Sikhism

• As is the case every day, Karah Prasad is blessed and served, and the congregation shares a meal in the langar

How are the Gurpurbs celebrated differently in the UK compared to India?

• Gurpurbs are celebrated in both India and the UK, but there are some differences in how the celebrations take place

• Gurpurbs in India are celebrated on the actual anniversary of the event they celebrate

  • Schools are often closed for some of the Gurpurbs, but in the UK, the festivals are often celebrated at the weekend

  • A Gurpurb is celebrated more publicly and nationally, especially in Punjab, where it is often a public holiday

  • Streets, towns and cities are decorated; celebrations are often much larger in scale than in the UK

  • Processions (Nagar Kirtans) are huge and vibrant, with thousands participating

  • Decorated floats carry the Guru Granth Sahib, with music, martial arts displays (Gatka), and hymns sung by the crowd

  • Akhand Path, kirtan, langar and light displays take place at the Golden Temple (Amritsar) and other gurdwaras

  • Some communities light oil lamps (diyas) and use fireworks

• Gurpurbs in the UK are normally community-based celebrations, particularly in cities such as London, Birmingham and Leicester, where there are larger Sikh communities

  • They are held mainly within local gurdwaras and Sikh centres

  • They still include Akhand Path, kirtan and langar, but usually on a smaller scale than in India

  • Nagar Kirtans do take place in cities, often in collaboration with local councils and police

    • These are more controlled and regulated, due to UK laws around road closures and noise

  • Some gurdwaras use Gurpurbs to educate others about Sikhism

    • Events might include school visits, interfaith services or talks on Guru teachings, especially in multicultural areas